Monday, May 16, 2011

It’s exactly a year ago since the passing of a metal legend. Ronnie James Dio passed away with his wife and manager Wendy at his side on May 16 2010, but thankfully not before many had the chance to say their last goodbye’s – “Ronnie knew how much he was loved by everybody” said Wendy

Judging by the flood of tributes that poured in, she was right. Everyone who is anyone in the world of Rock n’ Roll stated how much they had been influenced by the great man and those who had the privilege to have met him or played with him had nothing but kind words

Tony Iommi who played with Dio in Black Sabbath during, arguably, the bands greatest years and their re-incarnation Heaven & Hell said:

“Ronnie was one of the nicest people you could ever meet; we had some fantastic times together. Ronnie loved what he did, making music and performing on stage. His music will live on forever”

Lars Ulrich of Metallica posted a moving open letter on the web, stating that the man who invented “the horns” was responsible for him getting on the stage:

Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour called Dio “one of the strongest, purist and consistent singers of all time. Ronnie sang like he lived — all out, from the heart, with so much honesty and joy. He was a great man with a smile and a handshake for fans and peers alike. He spoke his mind and stood his ground for decades. I will miss him dearly.”

And still they kept coming – tributes of thanks and joy mixed with sadness that RJD would no longer stalk the stage; his huge voice booming out huge songs despite his diminutive stature.

Gene Simmons of Kiss, Slayer’s Kerry King, Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine, Alice Cooper, The Deftones, Killswitch Engage, Michael Anthony of Van Halen and Chickenfoot, Ozzy Osbourne, whom he replaced in Sabbath…the list was endless. They all had something to say about Ronnie, his music, his contribution, his warmth and his kindness.

As news broke of his death, bands all over the world played covers of his songs at their shows in honour of their hero – Pearl Jam kicked into “Heaven and Hell” at their gig when the news broke – Kiss’s Paul Stanley led a chant in his honour in front of a stadium full of fans in Switzerland.

Facebook was inundated – 45,000 fans from all over the world left messages in a single day.